Zakhilwal, Ghani seek US economic support

PAN-Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal and Transition Coordinator Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday held crucial talks with senior US officials on economic cooperation and American support for economic transition.

Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides led an interagency US delegation at the talks on cooperation between the two governments, and America’s support for the economic transition underway in Afghanistan. Zakhilwal and Ghani headed the Afghan side.

“This afternoon’s meeting continued the conversation between the US and Afghan governments on how best to support Afghan efforts to address economic uncertainty resulting from the withdrawal of international military forces,” a State Department spokesperson told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Effective US assistance to Afghanistan and promotion of sustainable, inclusive economic growth through the decade following security transition, including the importance of the mutual accountability framework, were also discussed, the spokesperson said.

Nides was joined by a number of colleagues from the White House, US Agency for International Development and the Departments of Defense and Treasury.

Zakhilwal also held a separate meeting with Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal S Wolin. The officials discussed a range of economic and financial issues, including Afghanistan’s growth outlook, progress on the IMF-supported reform program, efforts to combat money laundering and terrorism financing, and implementing international sanctions against the Iranian regime, an official told PAN.

“Afghanistan and the international community recognize that a successful economic transition, with focus on increasing Afghan self-reliance and integration into the economic fabric of the region, is key to a stable Afghanistan after 2014,” the spokesperson said.

The Afghan government has established a long-term economic vision and remained committed to improving transparency, rule of law and governance, fighting corruption, upholding the rights of women and minorities, and ensuring an inclusive, credible and fair election, the official said.

“Today’s conversation discussed our mutual efforts to support those objectives and to sustain the significant gains made by Afghans over the past decade, including in health and education, and particularly by Afghan women and children,” said the spokesperson.